Content providers and collaboration sites

Videoconferencing and Social Studies

Presenter: Sue Allen, CFF Coach
School District: Hempfield
Email: susan_allen@hempfieldsd.org

What is videoconferencing?

From wikipedia:
A videoconference (also known as a videoteleconference) is a set of interactive telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously. It has also been called visual collaboration and is a type of groupware. It differs from videophone in that it is designed to serve a conference rather than individuals.

Equipment required

Simple setup ~ Computer with Skype or iChat, microphone, webcam, projector
Elaborate setup ~ Videoconferencing equipment - Polycom or Tandberg, projector, screen

How does videoconferencing work?

Uses of Videoconferencing

Virtual field trips - low prep - photo tours of museums to interactive tours including audio, video and text - can be whole class or individual
Sample of virtual field trip site - American History at the Smithsonian
Webinars/presentations - medium prep - mostly one way - from speaker to audience with limited audience interaction (usually in the form of question and answer at the end of the session)
Collaboration - high prep - two or more classes work together on a collaborative project
Sample connection with HHS - distance lab & German class skyping (10:40)

Content providers and collaboration sites

Polycom
CILC - Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration
MAGPI
AT&T Education

Videoconferencing in Business

Recommended Sites for Further Information

Teacher Tube - search for videoconferencing
Blogs
Blankenblogger Videoconferencing and collaborative technologies within the CILC Community.
Videoconference - Applications and effective uses of eCollaboration by Carol Daunt (Australia)
The Wired Classroom - Cooperating School District's Virtual Learning Center.
Videoconferencing Out on a Lim - Janine Lim's blog on videoconferencing - #1 videoconferencing blog